Bilateral transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath blocks with liposomal bupivacaine for patients undergoing robotic prostatectomy.

As robotic prostatectomy surgery becomes more prevalent, it is important to identify any regional techniques to optimize patient's recovery. We evaluated the effectiveness of bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and rectus sheath (RS) blocks with liposomal bupivacaine. We hypothesized that these blocks would reduce perioperative opioid use and pain scores. A retrospective cohort of patients from May 2018 and May 2021 at a single large VA hospital were studied. We compared those not receiving a nerve block against those receiving the TAP and RS as part of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway starting in May 2019. The primary outcome was post-operative opioid use. Secondary outcomes were post-operative pain scores and hospital length of stay. One hundred and thirty-four patients were included in the final analysis. Eighty-one patients did not receive a block and fifty-three patients did receive a block. No difference existed between the groups in regard to median oral morphine equivalents (mg) used in PACU or any post-operative day. No difference existed in median opioid usage (mg) or pain scores between the two groups on any post-operative day. There was no difference in temporal association of median pain scores or narcotic usage between the two groups. Bilateral TAP and RS with liposomal bupivacaine did not significantly decrease post-operative opioid use, improve pain scores, or decrease hospital length of stay for patients undergoing robotic prostatectomy. Further studies need to be done to evaluate the effect of these blocks with liposomal bupivacaine.

Decreased Length of Stay and Opioid Usage After Liver Cancer Surgery With Enhanced Recovery Pathway Implementation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways are associated with better postoperative recovery; however, evidence is lacking in liver cancer surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an ERAS pathway in US veterans undergoing liver cancer surgery. METHODS: We initiated an ERAS pathway for liver cancer surgery with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative interventions, which included a novel regional anesthesia technique, erector spinae plane block, for multimodal analgesia management. A retrospective quality improvement study was conducted with patients undergoing elective open hepatectomy or microwave ablation of liver tumors before and after ERAS pathway implementation. RESULTS: With 24 patients in the post-ERAS group and 23 patients in the pre-ERAS group, we found a significant decreased length of stay in the ERAS group (4.1 days ± 3.9) compared with traditional care (8.6 days ± 7.1, P = .01) and decreased perioperative opioid consumption including intraoperative opioids (post-ERAS 49.8 mg ± 28.5 vs pre-ERAS 98 mg ± 42.3, P = 4.1E-5), postoperative opioids (post-ERAS 65.3 mg ± 59.9 vs pre-ERAS 175.7 mg ± 210.6, P = .018), and patient-controlled analgesia requirements (post-ERAS 0% vs pre-ERAS 50%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The implementation of ERAS for liver cancer surgery in our veteran population translates into decreased length of stay and perioperative opioid consumption. Although this study is limited as a quality improvement project implemented at one institution with a small sample size, our results are clinically and statistically significant and sufficient to warrant further investigation into the efficacy of ERAS as the surgical needs of the US veteran population increase.

Perception Precedes Reality: A Simulation and Procedural Bootcamp Improves Residents' Comfort With Transitioning to Clinical Anesthesiology Training.

Background The transition from internship to clinical anesthesiology (CA) training is often difficult given the differences in workflow, procedures, environment, and clinical situations. The primary aims of this study were to determine if a standardized introductory bootcamp could improve clinical knowledge and self-perceived comfort level of new anesthesiology residents in performing common operating room procedures and management of common intraoperative problems. The secondary aim of the study was to see if a standardized bootcamp could be replicated at other programs. Methods The introduction to anesthesiology resident bootcamp was developed at one institution in 2015 then expanded to a second program in 2019. The bootcamp was a one-day experience consisting of simulation and task trainers that all rising first-year CA residents (CA-1) participated in during their first month of anesthesiology training. All participating residents were given a survey immediately before and after the bootcamp. The average ratings of the questions were calculated and used as the primary measure. The Anesthesia Knowledge Test (AKT) was used as a surrogate measure of participant knowledge. Results From 2015 to 2020, a total of 105 residents completed the pre-survey and 109 completed the post-survey across the two sites. The improvement in average rating was significant (Pre: 2.04±0.46 versus Post: 3.09±0.52 p<0.0001). Individual item analysis also showed significant improvement on all of the eight items (p<0.0001). Analyses by site revealed the same results at both average score and item level. There was no significant cohort difference in either AKT-0 (Control: 57.84±26.86 versus Intervention 50.13±25.14, p=0.14) or AKT-1 (Control: 41.06±26.42 versus Intervention 41.70±26.60, p=0.90) percentile scores. Conclusions Incorporation of an introduction to anesthesia bootcamp for new residents significantly improves participant comfort level and is reproducible across institutions. However, it does not improve resident performance on standardized tests.

Creation of Simulation-Based Curriculum of Perioperative Emergencies for Residents in Anesthesiology.

INTRODUCTION: Crisis management is difficult to practice and evaluate for resident learners and leadership given the rarity of these events in clinical practice. However, simulation provides a medium to bridge this gap. We identified a need for simulation in our anesthesiology residency program to help residents learn to treat perioperative emergencies. OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of curriculum development, content, and early outcomes of a simulation-based curriculum for the management of perioperative emergencies for all levels of anesthesiology learners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Curriculum development began in the Spring of 2019 and simulations began in August 2019. All anesthesiology residents rotating at a single center through December 2020 were eligible. Each resident was given their own simulation scenario detailing a specific perioperative emergency and then debriefed as a group afterward. All residents participating in the scenario were given a post-simulation survey assessing the value of the educational experience, relevance to their level of training, and quality of learning environment. RESULTS: Out of 90 eligible residents, 79 participated in the study (87%). Overall, 100% of participants completed the post-simulation survey; 100% of residents reported that the curriculum was useful to their education; 98% of residents reported that the curriculum was relevant to their training level; 99% of residents reported that the simulation was an engaging learning experience. CONCLUSION: A simulation-based curriculum of perioperative emergencies for anesthesiology residents is feasible to implement, viewed as worthwhile by trainees, and can foster education in a different learning environment.

Safe and Effective Use of Bilateral Erector Spinae Block in Patient Suffering from Post-Operative Coagulopathy Following Hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND Regional nerve blocks ideally provide safe and effective post-operative pain control, decrease opiate requirements, and enhance recovery from intense pain following major thoracic, abdominal, and musculoskeletal surgeries. The erector spinae plane block, a recently described novel treatment for chronic neuropathic pain and acute pain after thoracic surgery, can be performed with in plane infiltration and placement of a continuous infusion catheter deep to the erector spinae muscle at the tip of the transverse process, resulting in diffusion of local anesthetic between vertebrae and the paravertebral space with sensory blockade of spinal nerves as well as sympathetic branches. CASE REPORT We describe the novel use of the erector spinae block for primary pain control and uncomplicated catheter removal in the setting of anticoagulation following a major hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The use of the erector spinae block in this context provided effective post-operative analgesia. CONCLUSIONS Additional evidence from clinical trials will be helpful to evaluate the role of this relatively new block for peri-operative analgesia.

Emergency Manuals Improved Novice Physician Performance During Simulated ICU Emergencies.

Background: Emergency manuals, which are safety essentials in non-medical high-reliability organizations (e.g., aviation), have recently gained acceptance in critical medical environments. Of the existing emergency manuals in anesthesiology, most are geared towards intraoperative settings. Additionally, most evidence supporting their efficacy focuses on the study of physicians with at least some meaningful experience as a physician. Our aim was to evaluate whether an emergency manual would improve the performance of novice physicians (post-graduate year [PGY] 1 or first year resident) in managing a critical event in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: PGY1 interns (n=41) were assessed on the management of a simulated critical event (unstable bradycardia) in the ICU. Participants underwent a group allocation process to either a control group (n=18) or an intervention group (emergency manual provided, n=23). The number of successfully executed treatment and diagnostic interventions completed was evaluated over a ten minute (600 seconds) simulation for each participant. Results: The participants using the emergency manual averaged 9.9/12 (83%) interventions, compared to an average of 7.1/12 (59%) interventions (p < 0.01) in the control group. Conclusions: The use of an emergency manual was associated with a significant improvement in critical event management by individual novice physicians in a simulated ICU patient (23% average increase).